I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 452: Building the Northwest

In Xiyuan Qinzheng Hall, Zhu Yijun picked up a memorial from the desk, saw the sticker of the Imperial Household Department on the cover and the items written on it, and raised his eyebrows.

Did Hu Zongxian have two impeachment memorials?

Zhu Yijun frowned and said without raising his head, "Call Li Chun."

Li Chun was called soon.

Zhu Yijun showed Li Chun the cover of the memorial, "Li Chun, when did the Imperial Household Department receive these two memorials from Hu Ruzhen?"

Li Chun walked up to him, saw the words on the cover clearly, and quickly replied: "In reply to your Highness, the first memorial impeaching Ling Yunyi, the governor of Fujian, was received yesterday afternoon. Because it was not an urgent military matter, the Imperial Household Department did not deliver it immediately, but just arranged it as usual.

The second memorial impeaching Guangxi Governor Yin Zhengmao was received this morning and was sorted out and submitted to the West Garden."

Zhu Yijun thought for a moment, "Does the Supervisory Office have copies of these two memorials?"

"All were copied."

"How to say?"

Li Chun paused for a few seconds before answering, "In reply to your Highness, the ministers in charge all said that Duke Ruzhen went too far by impeaching two governors in one breath."

"Does it mean that Duke Ruzhen was too arrogant this time, looking down on everyone and using his great victory to exercise his power?"

"In reply to your Highness, since these two memorials did not involve military affairs, but were impeachment memorials from local governors, the Imperial Household Department sent a copy each to the Cabinet and the Censorate, and similar messages were spread."

Zhu Yijun threw the memorial in his hand onto the table and asked, "Li Chun, what do you think?"

Li Chun raised his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

My Lord, what do I think?
I'm kneeling to watch!

Li Chun's mind raced through hundreds of thoughts, and she quickly replied, "Your Highness, I think these two memorials from Governor Hu are very strange, and there must be something hidden in them."

"It's very strange. Mr. Hu has always been cautious in his work. I can understand why he impeached Ling Yunyi, the governor of Fujian. The bandits in Fujian have fled to Guangdong, which may cause unrest, endanger the rear area of ​​the South China Sea, and affect Guangxi's transformation of aboriginals into Han Chinese. Mr. Hu's reasons for impeaching the governor of Fujian are all reasonable.

Moreover, Ling Yunyi was recommended by Mr. Taiyue and was not familiar with Mr. Hu, so impeachment was just impeachment!

But then he impeached Yin Zhengmao, the governor of Guiyang, which is very strange. "

"Your Highness is wise. Governor Yin did a great job in the transformation of the natives in Guangxi. He is also from the same hometown as Lord Hu. He had successes and failures in the past few years when he was in charge of Guangxi. He was repeatedly impeached by the censors, but Lord Hu tried his best to protect him.

The sudden impeachment of Governor Yin is indeed very strange."

Zhu Yijun thought about it and understood something, but he didn't want to say it clearly. "The Imperial Household Department sent a letter saying that the two memorials from Lord Hu involved military affairs, and asked the Cabinet and the Censorate to take back the copies and let the Supervisory Office handle them. They don't need to care about it. Lord Hu will have a secret memorial in the next two days, and the Imperial Household Department will present it to me directly."

"As you command."

Qi Yan said at the door: "Your Highness, Lord Cao, Mr. Wenchang and Xu Zhenming are handing over signs at Nanhua Gate."

"please come in."

Soon, Cao Bangfu, Xu Wei and Xu Zhenming were brought in.

"I, the Minister of War, the Governor-General of Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Military Affairs Cao Bangfu, I, the Vice Minister of War, the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, the Governor of Gansu Province Xu Wei, I, the Doctor of Works, the Deputy Envoy of Gansu Province Xu Zhenming, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Mr. Cao, Mr. Wenchang, and Xu Zhenming, please stand up and take your seats."

After the three of them sat down, Zhu Yijun first said to Cao Bangfu: "Lord Cao, you are almost 70 years old. I still want you to go to the bitter cold land in the northwest. I am worried."

Cao Bangfu answered in a clear voice: "A real man is willing to serve his country generously, and he dare not own his small body. I am willing to go through fire and water for the peace and rejuvenation of the Ming Dynasty, and I will not refuse."

"Mr. Cao, I have always been confident in your work. I originally wanted Mr. Tan to go to the Northwest to be the military governor, but he has been in the Northeast for several years and has made great contributions. He needs a break.

I am also worried about the others, so after much thought, I have no choice but to ask you, the veteran general Cao Gong, to take action."

Zhu Yijun paused and continued, "I also sent Mr. Wenchang as an assistant. From last winter to this spring, Mr. Wenchang worked hard in the Northeast, which led to the great victory of Kaiyuan and the surrender of the Chahar tribe and the surrender of the six left wings of Mongolia.

He deserves a title for this achievement, but there are jealous people who speak coldly at me, saying that I am biased and partial, and that Mr. Wenchang's achievements are not legitimate!
You all know my temper. The more others say so, the more I will do my best. Mr. Wenchang, I ordered you to go to Gansu and assist Cao Gong this time because I hope you can make new achievements.

As long as you can recover Qinghai and incorporate the old Tibetan territory into the Ming Dynasty, Lord Cao and Mr. Wenchang, I will not hesitate to grant you the title of duke or marquis!"

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei quickly responded: "We will do our best to repay your kindness."

Zhu Yijun added: "The victory report of defeating Thang Long and destroying the Mo clan has been spread all over the country. I have asked the governor to send a letter to Guangdong and summon Duke Ruzhen back to Beijing.

Lord Hu suppressed the Western Barbarians, pacified the South Sea, destroyed the Mo clan, and recovered Annan. These are rare achievements since the founding of our country. In addition, he suppressed the Japanese in the southeast for several years. His achievements are outstanding. I have decided to confer the title of Duke of Xuancheng County on Lord Hu. I will issue a decree to confer the title after Lord Hu returns to the capital!"

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei were both surprised and delighted.

Confer the title of Duke!

Although the new system of conferring titles divided the dukedom into three levels: national, county, and county, since the founding of the Guo Dynasty, except for a few dukes during the founding of the country and the Jingnan Rebellion, there had been no dukes for two hundred years.

Wang Yangming made great contributions, made great words and was virtuous, but he was only granted the title of Xinjian Earl, and was already known as the first civil official of the Ming Dynasty. Hu Zongxian was granted the title of County Duke, which surpassed Wang Yangming and became the first civil official of the Ming Dynasty since the Second Ancestor, and he was recorded in history!
Worth it!

It’s really worth it!

With the benchmark set there, everyone feels that they have hope and work harder!
Especially Xu Wei, his face flushed with excitement.

He was not even a juren, but he was already a minister. If he made military achievements in the northwest and was granted the title of marquis, it would really be a great honor for his ancestors, and all the resentment he had suffered in his family, clan and local areas when he was a teenager and young man would be avenged!

Seeing the expressions on Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei's faces, Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction.

Those in a high position must, first, point in the right direction, and second, be generous with fame and fortune.

Are the people below following you and fighting with you all for justice and love?
Only a few people work for love. Even if he has a noble character and is selfless, I will still arrange high rank and generous salary for him, so that everyone in the world knows that as long as they follow me, Zhu Yijun, and work hard, they will surely receive fame and fortune!

After Zhu Yijun gave some encouragement, he got back to the main topic.

"Mr. Huo recommended two people, Huo Jing and Huo Bian, who are respectively the nephew and grandson of Altan Khan. One is both wise and brave, and the other is a brave warrior. Now that their way back to the north is blocked, they are willing to follow the Ming Dynasty wholeheartedly.

Moreover, the two are very influential in Ordos and the Tumed tribe. They can be very effective in fighting the Tumed tribe in Qinghai! Lord Cao, you must use these two people well. "

"I obey your orders!"

"As for the affairs of the Northwest, I think it should be 70% economic and 30% military." Zhu Yijun began to set the tone for the Northwest Military Strategy.

"The Northwest is a bitterly cold place with drought and poor people. Recovering Qinghai and occupying Tubo are both to eliminate foreign threats first so that we can devote ourselves to building the Northwest and improving people's livelihood.

The Records of the Grand Historian says that the strength of mountains and rivers lies in virtue, not in danger. What is virtue? To ensure that the people of the northwest have enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear, and live and work in peace and contentment is virtue!
Mr. Cao, Mr. Wenchang, this is your most important task when you go to Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia! Remember this, you must remember this."

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei both listened quietly.

"So I chose two people, one for the leader and one for the assistant. Lord Cao is mature and prudent, and Mr. Wenchang is capable of both military and political affairs. Then I also chose a good assistant for you two, Xu Zhenming, the doctor of the Ministry of Works."

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei turned to look at Xu Zhenming, who had remained silent.

"Mr. Rudong was from Guixi, Jiangxi. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 20. After failing the imperial examinations many times, he traveled around to seek teachers and friends. He worked as a staff member for a senior in the northwest for more than ten years. He was good at civil affairs, especially water conservancy.

He was recommended to the Minister of Rites, Cai Maochun, who recommended him to me after careful consideration. Mr. Rudong wrote a memorial on water conservancy in the north.

Zhu Yijun stood up and walked slowly back.

"The capital is the foundation of the nine frontiers. The source of soldiers and food should be obtained from the north. Now it relies on the southeast for supply. Transportation is difficult and the cost is huge. The people are tired and the country is exhausted. Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hexi have been rich and powerful places since ancient times. How can they not fill the granaries and train soldiers?
Old canals and abandoned dams are everywhere in Shaanxi and Henan; the springs in Shandong can be used to irrigate farmland; several counties in the capital area have tributaries flowing through them or mountain springs gushing out, which are sufficient for irrigation.

People in the north have been unfamiliar with water conservancy since ancient times. They have suffered from floods but do not know that floods can be cleared. Therefore, water conservancy has not been developed. They do not know that water accumulation is a disaster, while water dispersion is a benefit. "

After reciting this, Zhu Yijun praised: "Mr. Rudong said it well! Water conservation lies in timely adjustment. When the water is abundant, store it; when the water is dry, release it. How to save? Just as Mr. Rudong said, disperse the savings.

The northwest and even the entire north are short of water, and lack of water means poor agriculture. The solution proposed by Mr. Rudong is to dredge channels and gullies in the upper reaches of the river, divert water to irrigate farmland, and reduce the water flow; dig more tributaries in the lower reaches to drain the overflowing water. In low-lying areas, divert water to form lakes and ponds for water storage. In slightly higher areas, dams are built like in the south. In this way, water conservancy can be promoted and floods can be eliminated. "

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei nodded repeatedly, "This is a very good method! It is a good method that benefits the country and the people!"

Zhu Yijun went on to add: "The northwest is due to water and soil. If there is water, the soil is fertile, but if the water and soil collide, the water will sweep away the soil. More than half of the Yellow River's silt is deposited in Henan and Shandong. Where else does it come from? It is all washed away from Shaanxi, Ningxia and Gansu.

What to do? Plant trees and afforestation!
Water diversion for irrigation does not have to be used entirely for farmland, and cultivation must be limited. Vast areas can be used as pastures for cattle and sheep, or simply left uncultivated to allow vegetation to grow. With vegetation protecting the soil, the silt will naturally settle. In time, the Ming Dynasty will finally see the day when the Yellow River becomes clear. "

Cao Bangfu and Xu Wei looked at each other.

Xu Zhenming's eyes sparkled, and he asked, "Your Highness, food is the most important thing for the people. If we restrict land reclamation and cultivation, where will the food for millions of people in the northwest come from?
Zhu Yijun said firmly: "Control the population in the northwest, merge several counties, retain only the necessary population, and move the rest from the bitter cold land to Liao, Huguang, Guangdong and Guangxi, and Nanhai.

I spur the Ming army and navy to march forward and seize fertile land, not for the sake of so-called divine merits and virtues, but to take over the land of the four seas to support the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

Xu Wei cupped his hands and said, "I am a foolish minister, but now I understand your highness's deep thoughts and foresight."

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "There is no rush for the affairs of the northwest. Take your time and work on it. The achievements will last for generations! Lord Cao, I will give you three years. Please make sure you lay the foundation for the northwest. After that, the achievements will be handed over to other good ministers."

Cao Fubang said happily: "I am willing to devote my life to the great cause of building the Northwest for Your Highness, which will benefit future generations!"

"Mr. Rudong, please use all your life's knowledge to build the northwest for the Ming Dynasty and benefit the people."

Xu Zhenming quickly responded: "Your Highness cares about the people and has a far-sighted vision. I am willing to do my best for Your Highness's plan for the northwest."

Zhu Yijun said happily: "Okay, Mr. Cao, Mr. Wenchang, Mr. Rudong, I will leave the northwest of the Ming Dynasty to you three."

After saying this, he bowed to the three people.

The three hurriedly returned the greeting: "We dare not accept such a generous gift from Your Highness!"

"I am not performing this ceremony for myself, but for the Ming Dynasty and the millions of people in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty."

The four ministers, the king and his subjects, bowed deeply to each other and looked at each other with sincerity.

(End of this chapter)